NICU reunion

NICU reunion super heroes

Three years ago, George and I began researching Neonatal Intensive Care Units in our area in preparation for the quads arrival. Knowing they would be delivered prematurely meant they would have a NICU stay, and we wanted to be educated with our options. When we toured Cook Children’s we were thoroughly impressed and knew it was the place to care for our babies. After the babies were delivered, they were immediately transported to Cook and it did not take us long to bond with the staff there. While NICU life was stressful and emotionally charged, our experience was a positive one because of the care we received.

Each spring, the hospital hosts a NICU reunion where families get the opportunity to see the staff who cared for their once tiny babies as well as other patients who were in the NICU at the same time. Shortly before the babies turned one, we were able to attend our first annual NICU reunion. Because we were in the process of moving last year, we missed the annual reunion.

Thankfully, this year the weather was nice and we made it to the shindig. The kids were stoked about going since it was a super hero themed event. A few days prior, I managed to grab Batman and Batgirl shirts for the quads and a Wonder Woman shirt for myself to wear. Instead of wearing his Avengers shirt, George sported a Star Wars tee to which Rylin remarked, “That is NOT a super hero shirt!” Although we don’t let the quads watch Justice League shows, they are fascinated with superheroes and recognize the high-profile ones. At the advice of readers, we started watching Super Why on PBS kids; it’s a beloved, age-appropriate show about a super hero.

Upon our arrival at the event, on of our primary nurses, Tiffany, spotted us in the crowd. Ironically, a few days prior I found a scripture containing each of the quad’s middle names given to us by Tiffany before discharge. It’s clear that some people are put into our lives for a reason, and touch our hearts forever. Tiffany was one of several nurses we will always cherish because of the nurturing touch given to our babies.

After reuniting with Tiffany, it was time to meet and greet a band of super heroes. Despite being enamored with super heroes, meeting them in the flesh proved a bit too intimidating for everyone except our tiny powerhouse, Sydney. She strutted right up to Batman (who was a rather tall guy) and examined his gloved hand. The other three only approached the super heroes while being held by Mom and Dad.

Next, everyone sat curbside to enjoy their first snow cone. I was amazed at how long these four were willing to sip and slurp snow cones. As we enjoyed this little treat, we stumbled upon our triplet buddies who were born just five days after the quads. Over the years, we’ve maintained contact and held a few play dates, which we call “Quatriplet” play dates. It’s always nice to be around other families with high order multiples because we feel “normal” together. Getting seven toddlers to sit next to each other was quite a task. Perhaps one day we can a few of them to also look at the camera. Out of seven kids, you’d think at least one would be looking, but not one did.

Even though the quads are usually reticent to try new things, Harper, Mason, and Rylin each conquered the ginormous bounce house slide. Harper went so quickly, I missed his adventure, and he was not willing to repeat it.

Before leaving the party, each of the quads received a super hero mask kit and a set of stickers, which Sydney instructed the volunteer to “put on my cheek, and here on my arm.” Of course the other three then made the same request and left with a nice collection of stickers.

On our way out, we stopped on our favorite hallway in the hospital to watch Tinkerbell dance on the wall (there is a silhouette of a castle affixed on he wall and a fairy is projected to the roof of the castle). The quads were absolutely fascinated by this little pixie, and seeing them in awe reminded me why Cook is the place for children. It doesn’t seem like a hospital….it’s almost magical.

Back at home, we assembled the masks and the quads had great fun modeling them. The girls had even more fun looking at each other in the masks.

As the years pass, the memories of NICU life fade every so slightly, but going back to reunions like this is a good way to remember that time in our lives, and thank those who touched our family.

hugs,

Amber

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In what seems like an eternity ago, the babies’ NICU nurses often chattered about the day when the babies would be bigger, healthier and returning to the hospital. There would come a day they would return to the hospital not as patients, but as visitors for the NICU Reunion. At the time, I don’t think we could see the forest for the trees. Nine months later, we finally reached that point: NICU reunion time!

As part of the reunion, the hospital requested that each parent make a post of their baby filled with pictures from then and now with a statement sharing the NICU experience for current families to see, and bring them hope. As I often do, I procrastinated completing this project. Not because I did not want to do it, but I knew it would take me a good deal of time to create. Days before the reunion, I finally went to Snapfish and ordered tons of pictures of the babies from their NICU days to what they’ve been doing lately. It turned out to be quite the walk down memory lane. It was only nine short months ago that our babies weighed under 4 pounds each and lived in boxes. Oh how far we’ve come! A few hours after ordering over sixty pictures online, I picked up a thick envelope from our neighborhood Walgreens. The task daunted me even more when I flipped through a stack of pictures that would never fit onto a tiny poster. It sat on our dining room table in shambles for a few days until my mom came to the rescue. Mom just loves a creative project like this. I remember she and I staying up “all night” (what I later realized was more like 10:30 pm at most) doing school projects. Mom never did anything for me, but always put “her touch” on it so it looked just right. When it came to my latest project, Mom helped me sift through the mounds of pictures and then helped me to arrange them just so. I took a picture of the final product:

I was really pleased with the final result. In fact, I hated to part with my little project, it is a cute keepsake. I hope it inspires current and future families with babies in the NICU. After all, being in the NICU was hard, but we eventually saw the other side.

The pink piece of paper on the poster reads:

On February 2, 2012 our lives were forever changed by four tiny heartbeats detected on an early ultrasound. We were expecting quadruplets! That day we were warned about many possible complications and risks associated with high order multiples, particularly the fact that they would be premature. Instead of worrying, we began preparing. One of the first things we did was research NICU facilities in our area. After a tour of Cook, we immediately decided it was the place for our babies. Not only could they provide us with a private suite equipped for our quads, but we knew they would offer the best medical care possible and a family friendly environment for everyone. When the babies were delivered July 20, 2012, they were immediately transported to Cook. We later learned the staff was preparing for our babies weeks in advance.

Being in the NICU was not always easy. It became taxing seeing our babies so fragile and struggling to tackle seemingly simple tasks such as feeding. It was even more difficult to see them make gains one day and then backslide the next. However, being at Cook made our experience a pleasant one. The babies’ room always felt warm and inviting even though it was indeed a hospital room. All of the nurses, care partners, and staff took time to know us and the uniqueness of each baby. Staff who worked with us could tell at least one thing that was unique to each baby and they championed each baby’s successes. Not once did we leave the hospital worrying about the babies because we knew they were in the most capable, loving hands possible. If our babies could not come home with us, there is no other place we would have left them than Cook. Each morning when we would return for visits, we would find the babies dressed to match their linens and sometimes with notes or pictures taken from our camera. That warmed our hearts.

After a seven week stint in the NICU, babies started trickling home. Within a week’s time we found four tiny, yet healthy babies filling our home. At nine months old, it is difficult to believe how tiny they once were. Just like typical babies, they attack new milestones every day. We are now enjoying baby babbles, giggles, teeth, and even some scooting! We will forever hold Cook Children’s Hospital in our hearts as a special place that nourished our babies when they were so small.

Hugs,

Amber & George Shawver

We made it!

It took us weeks to find a night primary and we finally found Tiffany. However, she sent the babies home within four days! We were sad we didn’t get much time with her, but were happy to finally be home with all the babies.

Some of the babies’ nurses: Kim, Kiki, and Emily got to see how much the babies had grown.

George and I with Liz who was one of the babies’ primary nurses. She was instrumental in helping change Sydney’s protocol when she had pneumonia.

There were several volunteer photographers at the even, one captured these precious photos of each baby. I especially love Harper’s lion yawn.

Rylin became a bit fussy so Nisey rescued her from the Runabout.

Harper Stone

Mason River

Sydney Raine

One of the highlights of the reunion was meeting the McClean family. Unbeknownst to me, they were the only other set of quadruplets admitted to Cook Children’s. They are now four years old and too big for a Runabout. I appreciated that the father of the quads told George it got easier for them every year. Sometimes a little encouragement like that goes a long way!